U.S. President Donald Trump warned this week he could retaliate with a “big tariff” on British goods if the United Kingdom does not repeal its 2% digital services tax (DST) on large online platforms. Speaking from the Oval Office on April 23–24, 2026, Trump said Washington could “meet that very easily” by imposing tariffs “equal or greater” than the revenue the levy generates. The DST, introduced by the UK in April 2020, applies to sizeable search engines, social media and online marketplaces and has been a recurring source of tension with Washington; Downing Street has defended the levy as fair and important to Treasury receipts. The threat comes ahead of King Charles III’s state visit to the United States and after a 2025 UK‑US trade deal left the UK tax unchanged. Several European countries also have digital services levies, and U.S. officials have previously signalled willingness to use tariffs or export controls against nations that target American tech firms. The White House did not provide tariff rates; Trump said any measure would exceed what the UK is collecting under the DST.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed on April 24, 2026 that he was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer and has been successfully treated, according to his annual medical report and statements from the Prime Minister’s Office. The lesion was detected during routine follow-up after surgery for benign prostate enlargement in December 2024; doctors described it as a very small, localized malignancy with no evidence of metastasis. Netanyahu said he underwent targeted radiation therapy and medical evaluations showing the spot has “disappeared completely.” He told the public he delayed publication of the report by about two months to avoid giving Iran ammunition for propaganda during Israel’s recent confrontation with Tehran and its proxies. The prime minister, 76, said he continued working throughout treatment and is in “excellent physical condition.” Hadassah Medical Center clinicians, including Prof. Aharon Popovtzer, confirmed the tests showed no residual disease. The disclosure comes as Israel manages fragile ceasefires with Lebanon and prepares for high-level diplomacy, including a planned White House visit.

An internal Pentagon email, first reported by Reuters on April 24, 2026, outlined options to punish NATO allies perceived as unsupportive of US operations in the war with Iran, including suspending Spain from the alliance and reassessing US diplomatic backing for the United Kingdom’s claim to the Falkland Islands. The memo cited frustration over allies’ refusal to grant access, basing and overflight (ABO) rights for American missions. NATO officials and legal experts noted the alliance’s founding treaty contains no mechanism to suspend or expel members; senior NATO sources described the memo’s proposals as largely symbolic. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez dismissed the report and called on reliance on official US statements; Downing Street reiterated that sovereignty over the Falklands “rests with the UK” and defended the islanders’ right to self-determination. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson reiterated US frustration with some allies’ perceived lack of support. Theotehr reporting also flagged concerns about possible reputational and diplomatic fallout, and noted the email did not explicitly recommend withdrawing US forces from Europe or closing bases but did propose options intended to pressure partners.

On April 23-24, 2026 U.S. President Donald Trump amplified a transcript and video from conservative broadcaster Michael Savage on his Truth Social account that described India and China as “hellholes” and attacked birthright citizenship and immigrant communities. India’s Ministry of External Affairs called the remarks “obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste,” while the U.S. embassy in New Delhi sought to dampen the fallout by saying the president regards India as “a great country.” The post drew criticism from Indian opposition parties, U.S. lawmakers including Indian‑American Representative Ami Bera, advocacy groups such as the Hindu American Foundation, and drew commentary from Iran’s diplomatic mission in Mumbai. The episode comes as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a challenge to birthright citizenship and amid negotiations between Washington and New Delhi on a broad trade deal and visa policies affecting Indian professionals. Indian officials have signalled caution in public responses to avoid undermining delicate trade and diplomatic talks underway between the two countries.

Federal prosecutors have indicted U.S. Army Special Forces soldier Gannon Ken Van Dyke for allegedly using classified information about Operation Absolute Resolve — the January raid that captured former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro — to place wagers on the prediction market Polymarket and net more than $400,000. According to the indictment unsealed in late April 2026, Van Dyke created a Polymarket account in late December 2025 and placed about 13 Venezuela-related bets totalling roughly $33,000 that resolved favorably after the January 3 operation. He is charged with unlawful use of confidential government information, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction; federal regulators including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have also filed complaints. Prosecutors say Van Dyke moved proceeds through a foreign cryptocurrency account and attempted to delete or obscure accounts once unusual payouts drew attention. Polymarket says it referred suspicious trading to the Justice Department and cooperated with investigators. The case is the first high-profile U.S. criminal action alleging insider trading on a prediction market and will proceed in federal court in Manhattan.